Bowling-ball.



. SEESSLE.

NG. BALL. OATI N ILED APR. 24,1913.

Patented Dec.2, 1913.

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UNITED STATES I, PATENT CHARLES SEESSLE 9}? 333351311 our, new JERSEY, ASSIGNOR or ONE-THIRD To WILLIAM J. w Lsrr, or sES; orrY, NEW JERSEY, AND ONE-THIRD ELQ' WIL- LI M MOO E r Be QN EW e ies? BewL -eeee- Specification of Letters Ratent.

r te tedDec-a 1913.

Application filed ,April 24, 1913. serial No. 763,232.

have invented a new and Improved BOWL.

ing-Ball, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a bowling ball provided with a knob which is grasped for the purpose of propelling the ball, and which is automatically retracted as soon as released. In this way the ball may be manipulated in an easy and accurate manner, while the knob will in no wise interfere with the free movement of the ball along the alley. The invention also comprises the various features of improvement more fully pointed out in the specification and appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a central section partly in side view of a bowling ball embodying my invention, show ing the knob raised; Fig. 2 a central section through part of the ball with the knob lowered; Fig. 3 a cross section on line 33, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a cross section on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

The bowling ball 10 made of wood, rubber or other suitable material, is provided with a diametrically extending bore 11 in which is free to move a plunger 12. This plunger carries at one end a knob 13 which when the plunger is advanced, extends a distance beyond the face of the ball, so that it may be readily grasped, while when the plunger is retracted, the knob will become seated within a corresponding countersink or recess 14 of the ball into which bore 11 opens. The outer face of the knob should be curved in conformity with the curvature of the ball itself, so that when occupying recess 14, the knob will merge intothe body of the ball and form a part of its rolling surface. Plunger 12 is influenced by an encompassing spiral spring 15 accommodated within bore 11 and bearing with one end against a foot 16 of the plunger, while its other end bears against a washer 17 fitted within bore 11. As the plunger is advanced or partly projected out of the ball in the manner hereinafter described, the spring 15 will become compressed, and will owing to the weight of the ball, remain in this compressed state as long as the player grasps the knob and swings the ball preparatory to making a de livery. In this position of the parts, the plunger will be raised to such an extent that it will protrude a considerable distance beyond theball, by carrying the lmohwith it, will cause the latter to clear the ball and permit the players fingers to be folded tightly around the same. As soon however as the knob has been released, the spring will retract the plunger and thus draw the knob into the recess 14 before the ball and more particularly the knob portion thereof hits the alley. In this way a fine swing may be imparted to the ball, so that its delivery is greatly improved, while the fingers are not taxed as severely as with finger balls.

With the construction shown, the plunger is squared and composed of an upper section 12 and a lower section 12" which are united by a tongue 18 and socket 19. Both sections 12*, 12 are inclosed within a common squared tube 20, to which they, are riveted, as at 21. The bore 11 is also squared above washer 17 as at 22, so that by giving a twist to the knob after it has cleared recess 14, a corresponding movement will'be imparted to the ball. tube 20 is rounded out by four longitudinal strips 23, which are of segmental shapein cross section (Fig. 3) and are connected to the tube by means of rivets 24. The foot 16 of plunger 12 is provided with 'a threaded socket 25 into which is screwed the threaded stem 26 of a plug 27 that is curved in conformity with the ball and is adapted to close the lower end of bore 11 when the plunger is retracted.

In assembling the parts, spring 15 is introduced into bore 11, lower plunger section 12 to which tube 20 and strips 23 have previously been riveted, is slipped from below into the bore, and then upper plunger section 12* carrying knob 13, is slipped from above into tube 20 and is riveted thereto.

It is evident that in use, the plunger must be partially raised out of the ball in order that the hand may obtain a grip. This is effected by means of an upright finger 28, which is secured by a flange 29 to a gutter, table or other readily accessible support 30. Thus by placing the ball upon the finger, so that the latter engages plug 27, the plun- The lower part of ger y'v'ill be raised to compress spring 15 and expose knob 13, as will be readily understood. I

1. A bowling ball having a recess, a communicating bore, a spring-controlledplun- 'ger engaging said bore, anti-rotating means between bore and plunger, a knob on the plunger adapted to be accommodated Within the recess and to be drawn completely out of the same so as to be graspable by the players fingers,-the anti-rotating means between-ball and plunger being operative subsequent to the Withdrawal of the knob from the recess.

2. A bowling ball having a recess, a conimunicating squared bore, a spring-controlled squared plunger engaging said bore, a knob on the plunger adapted to be accommodated Within the recess and to be-drawn completely out of the same, so as to be graspable by the players fingers, the engagement between the squared bore and squared plunger being maintained subsequent to the Withdrawal of the knob from the recess.

CHARLES SEESSLE.

V Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. ZUMPE, KATHERYNE KocH.

fiopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

